Student Section of the Week: The Mack Hatcher Mob

student section of the week

A tight-knit group of students, Battle Ground Academy’s Mack Hatcher Mob takes supporting its own seriously.

“Our section, because of the smaller size of our school, is made up of students who all know each other and have for quite sometime,” BGA senior Kolton Grimsley said. “Everyone’s close relationship with one another has helped the section grow, because our students want to see their friends play and represent our school. We love our athletes, and supporting them anyway we can is the main priority of the Mob.”

And BGA’s students got clever with its name. With Mack Hatcher Parkway in the view shed of the section, the students decided to add some location to its name.

Grimsley said the Mob has primarily been a modest size as long as he can remember. But it doesn’t hurt when the school adds some championships to the trophy case to inspire student support.

“People began to buy into the process of making a big crowd for our athletes ever since we began to see consistent success in sports,” Grimsley said. Like [when we won the] basketball state championship in 2013, and the state finalist football team the following year. Organization really came from the grades. Freshman at top down to the seniors.”

Dean of Students John Millard also pitches in his support to the Mob.

“He makes sure we have what we need and makes sure we have a spirit bus to safely transport our students if there is an away game,” Grimsley said. “But ultimately, Mr. Millard lets the section serve as an avenue for students to get closer as a community through cheering our athletes on. He leaves most of the decisions to the students, given that we represent BGA well and are respectful to our opponents. We take pride on the fact that the Mob, along with the teams, win and lose with dignity and sportsmanship.”

This post is sponsored by Columbia State Community College.

Emily West covers the City of Franklin, education and high school football for the Franklin Home Page. Contact her at [email protected]. Follow her on Twitter via @emwest22.